Pádraig joins the drive to bring golf to 2016 Olympic Games

PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON has agreed to lead the Irish lobby for the inclusion of golf in the 2016 Olympic Games and has written to Pat Hickey, President of the Irish Olympic Council (IOC), seeking his support.

Hickey, as the sole Irish member of the IOC, holds a vote in the final voting due next October in Copenhagen, subject to golf being one of two sports put forward for selection by the IOC Executive Board in August.

Harrington also enclosed a brochure outlining golf’s claims to be included as one of the two new additions to the Olympic programme in 2016, while also stressing how much it would mean to himself to have the opportunity of representing his country in the biggest of all sporting events.

“From my upbringing in Ireland, learning to play golf has allowed me to play the game all over the world,” said Harrington. “I am proud to be Irish and would love to represent my country should golf be added to the programme for the 2016 Olympics and beyond. Golf is unified in its desire to become a part of the Olympics and I am excited at the prospect of potentially competing in the Olympic Games.”

Hickey has made it perfectly clear that he supports both golf and rugby sevens in 2016. He sees golf as a discipline where Ireland would have an outstanding chance of a medal while he is also impressed that the game is now played in virtually every country on the globe.

Although 2016 may seem a long way off, it is reasonable to believe that it could hardly come at a better time where Irish male and female golfers are concerned. For instance, Harrington himself will still be competitive at the age of 45, while Rory McIlroy will be only 27 and Shane Lowry 29, only arriving at the peak of their powers.

Then there are the remarkable Maguire twins, Lisa and Leona, from Cavan who will only have “come of age” in seven years’ time.

If they were to maintain their amazing current level of progress over the intervening years, they would be serious medal hopes not only in 2016 but also for several more Olympics to follow.

The International Golf Federation’s global ambassadors Annika Sorenstam and 2010 European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie are fronting up golf’s case for inclusion in the Olympics. The IGF will provide a commitment that no major championships will conflict or compete with the Olympics.

The competitions would take place over 72 holes with a tie determined by a three-hole play-off.

The top 15 in the respective world rankings would be eligible, with two players from each of a minimum of 30 countries.